Mining system and apparatus



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E. C. MQRGAN MINING -sfYsTN AND APPARATUS Filed June '25. 1920 5 sheets-sheet 2 gwvemfoz Fdun/d Mayan E. C. MORGAN MINING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed June 25. 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Summa/Foz Edmund Cffyan k w n.

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' mmm' sYsTEMAND APAnATUs Filed June 23,

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EDMUND C. MQAN, 0F N Y are srs'rnmnnn raus. l

Application tiled June 23, 1920. Serial No. 391,213.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that L-EDMUND a citizen of the United States, dent of New York city9 in the count of New York and State of New York, ave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mining Systems and Apparatus, of which the following is a speciication.

My invention relates to a system and apparatus for minn ticularly adapted .or the mining of coal.

One of the objects of my invention is the provision of improved apparatus for facilitating the mining of material, particularly coal, in a mine.

A further object of the invention is the provisionof improved apparatus for facilitating the mining of material and controlling the subsidence of the roof in the mine chamber after the mining operations have been completed.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved system of mining in which 'the roof is supported as the mining proceeds, and in which the subsidence of the roof is eected along predetermined lines and at predetermined positions and in predetermined sequence.

Another object of the invention is provision of improved means for supporting compactly, roof propping mechanism.

f Another object is the provision of a large number of successively adjacent roof propping devices each provided with a long narrow base to distribute the pressure on the floor over a wide area, each roof -propping device being individually movable to an advanced roof propping position in cooperation with other roo propping devices.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved mechanism for operating and controlling such roof propping device. l

A further object of the invention is the C. MORGAN, and a resiprovision of a series of roof propping devices each provided with improved mechanism adapted to be connected to the next adjacent root propping device to move the latter `:forward to a new location.

A still further object of the invention material, and is par' the l is the provision of a system for carrying out a retreating method of mining in which entries are driven horizontally in opposite directions from a main entry and then removing by retreating operations the pillars between such lateral or butt entries, and leaving the roof free to subside while controlling' the subsidence of the roof so that continuous minn and loadin operations will not be interered with. he method of mining contemplates the driving of lateral or butt entries from the main entry at one side of the latter while the retreating system of mining is carried on at at the pillars between the butt entries on the other side of the main entry, thereby lessening the amount of apparatus being used at any one time for carrying on the mining operations. n

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novel features and combinations being set forth in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanyingdraw-ings: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic. view illustrating my improved system and method of mining coal;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the method of handling a series of roof propping devices for controlling the subsidence of the roof.;

Fig. 3 is an elevational View of one of the roof propping devices in position to control the subsidence of the roof as illustrated at the right hand portion of this View;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of a modified form of root propping device with the inclined forward portion shown in Fig. 3, detached;

Fig. 5 is 'an elevational view of the type ofroof propping device shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of a modifiicaadapted for location at the end of the,

series of roof. jacks and adjacent. an upright mine wall, this view alsoishowing an additional connection to secure the move-- 1 porting mechanism shown in Fig. 7;

Fi 11 is a sectional elevational view on the'lme 11--11 of Fig. 10 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the adjacent roof supporting devices shown in Fig. 8; and Fig. 13 is a `sectional elevation taken on the line 13.--13 of Fig. 12.

Referring tothe left hand portion of Fig. 1, l have shown multiple roof propping mechanism particularly adapted .forv

the controlling'of the subsidence of the roof over such portions where the mining of the coal has been completed, distant from the places where the -minin and loading of `the coal is continuing. his multiple roof propping mechanism is preferably composed of separate individual long and narrovv frames 14 each of which is provided with a plurality or series of roof *'acks as shown at 15 and'l in Fig. 5. ach of the roof jacks comprises a plunger movable y vertically in a hydraulic cylinder.

ln Fig. 11 l have shown a cylinder 17 in which is movable 'vertically a plunger 18 at the upper end of which is a roof engaging shoe 19. Ahead of the cylinder 17 is another cylinder 20 inl which is movable vertically a plunger 21 at the upper end of which is a roof engaging shoe 22. The roof engaging shoes 19 and 22 may he approximately square in plan view as shown in Fig. 10 and may also be of such a size as to he approximately of the same width asthe frame 14 and therefore engage the next adjacent roof shoes 19 and 22', respectively, as shown in Fig. 10.

The flow of the fluid ressure medium to and from the cylinder 1 through the pipe 23, entering the bottom of the cylinder 17, as shown in Fig. 11, may be controlled by a lvalve 24 screw-threaded in the valve chest 25 for up and down movement hy means of a manually operated `crank 26vvhich is provided with a squared socket fitting on the upper squared end 27 of theX valve stem 28. n 1n the position shown in Fig. 11 the valve 24 is closed and the supply pressure from the pipe 29 to the pipe 23 is cut ed. When, however, the valve stem 28 is turned anti-clockwise by means of the crank 26, the valve24 will he lifted and the pressure medium can dow from the supply pressure pi e 29 into the intermediate chamber in the valve chest 25 and thence into the pipe 23 to the cylinder -17 forcing the plunger 18 upl withdrawa Lacasse wardly and consequently forcin the roof engaging shoe' 19 into contact with the roof. At such time the exhaust valve 30 remains closed.

1When it is desired to release the roof prop 19 the valve 24 is closed and exhaust valve 30 o erred. The opening of the exhaust valve is e ected by turning the crank 26 and the vertical stem 31 in an anti-clockwise direction. The weight of the plunger 18 and the shoe 19 thereon will then causev the liquid to flow from the cylinder 17 through the pipe 23 and the exhaust passage 32 into the exhaust pipe 32. lt will thus he `seen'that the valves 24 and 30 may he opened or closed independently of each other by means of the crank 26 having the squared socket fitting on the upper 4squared ends 27 and 33 of the valve stems 28 and 31.

The operation of the forward plunger 21 may be effected hy controlling the flow of the pressure medium through the pipe 34 to and from the cylinder 20. This may be done by means of a set of supply and exhaust valves having vertical stems 35 and 36 provided with upper squared ends 37 and 38, as shown in Fig. 10. By comparin Fig. 10 with Fig.

l11, it will be seenl that t e horizontal passageways 29 32 extend laterally cross the valve chest 25 for communicatlon respectively with the supply pipe 29 and exhaust pipe 32. Leading upwardly 'from the passageways 29 and 32are vertical openings or passageways 39 and 40, as illustrated in Fig. 11', these vertical passageways being con- 100 trolled by valves at the lower ends of the vertical valve stems. It should also he noted that hy means of this arrangement .the forward hydraulic roof jack on each frame 14' may he controlled independently of the rear 105 hydraulic roof jack both in the application ofthe roof supportin mechanism to anchor- Y ing position and in t e release of such roof supporting mechanism. The forward por tion of the frame 1li of the narrow elongated 110 roof su porting mechanism is preferably inclined ownwardly and forwardly, as shown at 41 in Fi 3 and 11 so as to facilitate the FS f the roof supporting mecha nism in its roof ro ping position after the 115 material has su sidedk along definite lines as controlled by the roof supporting mechanisin, and as shown in Fi 3. Such forward inclined portion is desira le when it is neceslsary to have a large area in contact with the .330

floor, particularly where the latter is of comparatively soft material. Furthermore, by providing the forward inclined portions 41, downwardly and forwardly inclined planes are provided which tend'to .cause the fallen H25 material to slide forward and not lill the spaces between the forward roof jacks. Itis also preferred to. have the inclined portions extend forwardlyrinstead of rearwardly to obtain larger bearing surface on the floor m0 applying without taking yup space where the mining operations are proceeding as shown at the left hand portion of Fig. 1.

However, larger bearing surface for the individual multiple roof supportin devices may be secured by lengthening the ame, as shown at 42 in Fig.' 6 and in such event an additional roof jack 125 may be located at the forward end of such frame 42. When the Hoor is comparatively hard the multiple roof supporting mechanism may have a shorter frame as shown at 43'Y in Fig. 4. This structure is the same -as that shown in Fig. 5 except that the forward inclined portion 41 is omitted and the forward end of `the frame is provided with' a vertical flat face approximatelydirectlybelov the line of cleavage be tween the subsiding roof material and the body of the roof which is held in its original position by the roof jack 16.

I will now describe the' mechanism on each multiple roof supporting device for shifting the position yofgtlie next adjacent roof supporting device to a new location. Each frame 14 1s rovided at its lower rear portion with a e horizontal longitudinally extending cylinder' 44 for receiving the plunger 45. To the rear end of the cylinder 44 is connected a pipe 46 for transmitting' the pressure medium. As shown in Flg. 10, g

this ipe 46 is connected to thevalve chest 25. n the same manner that the valves 24 and 30 control the supply and exhaust to the pipe 23, the valves at the lower ends of the valve stems 47 and 48 control the supply and exhaust to the pipe 46. Therefore by the crank 26 to the upper squared ends 49 and 50 of the valve stems 47 and 48 the supply pipe 29 may beconnected through the pipe 46 to the cylinder 44 to move the piston or plunger 45 to the left as viewed in Fig. 11 and permit the frame 14 to be moved to the left` when the plunger `45 is held stationary. That is to say, by

opening the valve at the lower end of the valve stem 47 while the exhaust valve is closed, pressure may be exerted on the plunger 45 to move the same to the left. When the supply valve is closed and the exhaust valve is opened, the frame 14 and the cylinder 44 may be moved to the left while the plunger 45 is held stationary. By referring to Fig. 7 which is a rear end elevation of Fig. 10, it will be seen that the rear end of each of the plungers 45 is provided with a radial arm 51 which may occupy either a vertical position or a horizontal position. Each of the frames 14 is provided at one side thereof with a series of abutments in the form of recesses or notches 52 and 53 (Fig. 12) into -Which the radial arms are adapted to fit: In Fig. 7 the radial arm 51 is shown in interlockin position in the recess 52 of the next a jacent frame. After the roof prop shoes 19 and 22, shown in Fig. 10, have been released 'and the roof prop shoes 19' and 22' are still in roof propping position, the plunger 45 may have pressure exerted upon it through the pipe 46 to move the arm 51 to the left. By reason of the engagement. of the latter with the frame 14 at the recess or notch 52, the elongated base frame 14 'together withv all the parts mounted thereon will be moved along the mine Hoor and the inclined portion 41 moved out from under the-material which may have subsided thereon as illustrated in Fig. 3.

The additional recess or notch abutment 53 s for the purpose of permitting the series of roof supporting devices to be located in roof supporting positions along a diagonal line so as to control subsidenceozt the roof along such line instead of at right angles to the roof supporting devices. Therefore, even when such diagonal series of roof propping` devices is used, they may be shifted individually by the arms 51, 51', etc., fitting, respectively, into the rear 'notches or recesses 53, 53', etc.

ln order to automatically limit the rearward movement of a released roof propping device relatively to the anchored roof prop device from which the moving force is being exerted, l have rovided a pipe 54 connected'between t e cylinder 44, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, rearwardly of the forward end thereof and the exhaust passage 32 in the valve chest 25. During the first portion of the rearward stroke of the horizontal plunger 45 the forward end ot the pipe 54 remains closed but after the plunger 45 has moved rearwardly a predetermined distancethe forward end of the pipe 54 is uncovered or opened and the pipe 46 will thus be connected through the cylinder 44 in front of the plunger 45 tothe exhaust pipe 54 and this will automatically e'ect stopping of the rearward movement of the l plunger 45.

After a released roof propping device has been moved rearwardly a predetermined distance its vertical plungers may again be operated to roof supportmg position so as to ',firmly anchor the frame 14.` Now, when the next adjacent roof propping device is released from roof supporting position it may be moved rearwardly by the operation of the-'horizontal plunger of the next roof supporting device in the series. When this operation takes place the arm 51 remains in the notch 52. Therefore, when the frame 14'is moved rearwardly the horizontal cylv inder 44 is moved ,rearwardly while the plunger therein is-held stationary. This restores the horizontalv plun r to its initial position relative to the cylmder in which it fits. From the foregoin it will be seen that the roof supporting evice adjacent 'the worked-out portion of the series shown at until the whole series has been moved rear ward. Y v

After the horizontal motor on the last roof supporting device has been operated to move, rearwardly, the next adjacent roof supporting device, additional mechanism must be employed to move rearwardly the last roof supporting device of the series which is. the roof supporting device adjacent the upright face of the unmined mass shown at the lower left hand portion of Fig. 1.

In order to accomplish the rearward movement'of 'such last supporting device of the series, l prefer to have such last supporting device of modied construction.

are released and the radial arm 60 fits in This modified roof supporting mechanism is shown in side elevation in Fig. 6, in rear elevation in Fig. 8, in plan in Fig. 12, and.. in longitudinal sectional elevation in Fig. 13 in relation to the next preceding adjacent roof supporting` device., An additional roof prop 125 is located on the forward end of the frame 42 andthe rearward portion of the frame is provided with a rearward extension 55 having a vertical bracket 56 in which isv pivotally mounted an adjustable abutment 57. rl `his abutment is pivoted to the support 56 by means of a. pin 58' fitting into a cylindrical recess in the support 56 and a set screw 59 is provided to holdthe abutment 57 in adjusted osition. The abutment 57,'upon release o the set screw 59, may be swung on a vertical axis to the dotted line position shown at 57 in Fig. 12. When in this position the horizontal longitudinal motor in the frame 42 may be used to move the frame 14 rearwardly when the roof jacks on the latter the notch or recess 52 of the frame 14. Therefore, when the roof proppingdevice, nextto the last in the series, is released, it may be moved rearwardly by the horizontal longitudinal motor of the roof propping device last in the series, and while the roof props of the latter are in anchored position. Now, when the roof jacks of the roof propping device next to the last in the series, are again Hanchored and the roof props of the last device in the series are released, the abutment 57 maf be swung to the full line osition shown 1n Fig. 12. Or, before the rame 14 is moved rearwardly the abutrEhen, when the( messes ment 5'? may be swung toits line posin tion so that the rear end of the plunger 45 may be in such. position that the radial arm4 51 thereon may 'be turned up into engagement with the abutment 57. lt will thus be seen that after the roof propping device next .to the last in the series has been moved rearwardly and anchored, its longitudinal the last in the series, the frame 42 will be* moved rearwardly and its roof props may then again be operated into roof propping position.

It should be noted that the roof propping device last in the series is provided with four sets of valves, one set'for each of the three vertical hydraulic roof jacks and one set for the horizontal shifting hydraulic motor.

Referring now to Fig. 1 showing a system and method of coal mining to which the 4series of roof props herein illustrated is particularly adapted, it should be noted that back of the main entry is located a series of roof props 61 approximately the width of the entry and between those portions marked Worked out which are those portions from which the'coal vein has been mined and the roof of foreign material allowed to Subside. 'ln order to reduce the cost of the `.mining apparatus inruse at any one time,

particularly the roof supporting mechanism, herein described, I wish to point out my imroved method of mining which consists in rst providing a main entry 62 and keeping the series of roof props 61 at the rear end thereof as shown in Fig. l and thenproviding a series of spaced-apart lateral or butt entries 63 and 64 and mining out sucient space for the series of -roof su porting de'- vicesl 65 and not beginning the ormation of the lateral or butt entries 66 and 67 until the mining and loading machines 68 and 69 begin to mine the rear ends of the pillars 7 0 and 71. i f

Spaced-apart tracks 72 and 73 may be located along the main entry 62 and spacedapart spur tracks 74, 7 5 and 76, 77 may be laid along the butt entries 63 and 64. Similar tracks7 8, 79 and 80, 81 maybe extended along the butt entries 66 and 67 as shown at the right hand portion of Fig. 1. As the mining and loading machines 82 and 83 proceed to mine' the coal from the coal faces maaee supports may be removed when theseries of roof subsidingisupports 65 are moved rearwardly.

Asthe mining and 'loading operation by means of the mining and loading machines 68 and 69 proceeds to remove the pillars 70 and 71,the mining and loading machines 82 and 83 are proceedingto mine at the coal faces-,Stand 85. The mine cars 87 and 88 for the mining 'and loading machines 68 andv69'may be located on switch track devices 89 and 90 so that an empty car may be moved from say the tracks 4 and 76 ,onto the switch tracks 89 and 90 and the loaded cars moved from the switch tracks 89 and 90 onto the tracks 75 and 7 7 for transportation to the main track-72. An intermediate track 91 may be provided forthe movement of mine cars .onto and oli' the adjacent tracks 74 and 75 Without interferin with the mine cars Ytraveling onto and o from the tracks 76 and 77. Mine cars 92 and 93 may be'located on switch tracks 94 and 95 which are similar -to those designated 89 and 90. These switch tracks for the mine cars arepreferably-slidable along the spaced-apart butt entry tracks and maintained in rail communication therewith.

In order to facilitate the transmission of power to the various mining-- and loading machines, I have provided a system of piping which may carry eitherinsulated electric wires for operating electric motors on the mining and loading machines, or such pipes may carry a fluid pressure medium for operating the' mining and loading machines. The main pipe is shown at 96 andvarious branch pipes 97 extend laterally from theY main pipe 96.

At the rear end of the track 77 l have shown a special car 98 on which is diagram vmatically shown a motor 99 supplied with ower through the connection 100. At 101 l) have diagrammatically illustrated a hydraulic motor connected at 102 to the series of roof supporting devices which are particularly adapted for controlling the subsidence of the roof along definite predetermined lines. The connection between the hydraulic motor 101 and the series of said roof supporting devices may be made at the pipes 29 and 32 shown in l* ig. 12. lt should be noted that the valve chest of eachv roolE supporting device is connected by means of flexible connections and that the passagewayg 29 and 32 together with such exible connections constitute continuations o the supply and exhaust pipes throughout the whole series of root supporting devices.

B. the time that the mining and loading mac iii-ies 68 and 69 have removed the pillars 70 and 71, the mining and loading ma chines 82 and 83 should have mined out such and at the ends of the pillars 103,104 as to afford sutlicient space for the series of roof supports 65. As indicated bythe broken lines 105 and 106, the butt entries 63 and 64 as well as the butt entries 66 and 67 are intended to be'comparatively long sothat by the time therpillars 7 0 and 71 have -been removed the series ofroof supporting devices vhave been shifted several timesl toward the main entry and the roof allowed to subside several times, the last subsidence occurring a short distance from thelmin entry as determined by the series'of roof supporting devices.

When the-mining and loading machinesA 82 and 83 have mined out a suliciently large space at the rear ends of the pillars 103 and 104, so as to be in readiness to make the return movement toward the main entry, the series of roof supporting devices 65 are loaded on `mine cars and moved to the rear of the pillars 103 and 104 and set up in a series similar to that illustrated at the left hand end of Fig. 1. It should also be-noted that as -Soon asthe mining and loading ma chines 68 and 69 have completed the removal of the pillars and 71, new butt entries will be started on the lsame side of the main entry but farther along in the direction ofthe arrow 107. While these new butt entries are being produced, the pillars 103 and 104 are being removed and when `the latter are remove new butt entries will be made on the same side of the main entry but farther along in the direction of the arrow 107. After the series of roof pro s 65v have been moved from the right han side of Fig. 1 toward the main `entry and the pillars 103 and 104 entirely removed, the series of roof props 61 may be shifted forward step by step While the tracks are being gradually taken up and the roof props 86 removed.

In Fig. 2 l have illustrated a method of controlling the subsidence of the roof in which a hauling machine 108 is employed for dragging the individual roof props from one end of a series 109-to the other end thereof. This hauling mechanism comprises a rope 110 which may be directed around a pulley at an anchorage 111 so that the individual roof propping devices may be pulled out longitudinally from under the subsided material 112. After the roof supporting device has been pulled out to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2. the rope 110 may be disconnected from the pulley 111 and then the pull on the continued so that the roof supportingsi vice will occupy the position shown in dotted lines 1i3. Continued pulling on the device will shift it to the position indicated at 11e. Zhen, by extending the rope around a space at the ends of the entries 66 and 67 apulley at the anchorage 115 the roof supporting devices may be shifted into position for location at the other-end of the series 109 of roof supporting devices. The series of roof supporting devices 116 may be shifted toward the body of coal 117 in the same manner that the series 65 of roof sup-` rting devices in Fig. 1 are shifted step E; step to the right toward the main entry.

It should be noted that 112 designates the roof which has subsided along the break line 118 lwhich was determined by the series 116, whereas the break line 119 was .determined by the series 109. The previous portion of the subsided roof is illustrated at 120 and this subsidence was determined along1 the break lines 121.r The next subsidence of the' roof isto occur along the dotted line 122 of the series. 109 and along the dotted line 122 of the series 116. The area of the roof which must be freed before it will subside will depend upon various conditions, and therefore the series 109 must be lengthened and the series 116 moved forward until sufficient area of roof will be freed to the left of the line 122 and back of the line 123 to cause subsidence by reason of the overhead weight of such roof, but when such subsidence does occur it will be along the `lines 122 and 123 because the roof supporting'mechanism compels the roof to break along such lines. The roof over the entry 124 will remain intact because as the series 109 is moved along, the roof supports 86 are placedv in position andspaced-apart in such manner as to hold up or-support the roof.

Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes in the details and arrangements of parts herein disclosed Without departing from thespirit and scope of my invention as defined by the claims hereto appended, and I wish, therefore, not to be restricted to the precise construction herein disclosed.

Having thus fully disclosed an embodiment of my invention, what I claimk and desire to have secured by Letters Patent of the United States isl 1.- In a system of mining, the combination with a series of roof supports each having an elongated base adapted to engage the floor of the mine chamber over a comparatively large area, of means forconnecting each roof support to the next adjacent roof support, and mechanism mounted on each roof support for shifting longitudinally the position of the next adjacent roof 4support by means of such connections.v

2. In a system of mining; the combination with a jack comprising a base frame, of anl additional jack comprising a base frame, power-operated mechanism on said irst'- named -base framea connection between said power-operated mechanism and said second-named base frame, and means for controlling` said power-operated mechanism while said first-named jack is anchored to shift the position of said second-named jack while the latter is not anchored.

3. In a system of mining, the combination with a jack comprising a .base frame, of an additional jack also comprising a base frame, a fluid pressure motor on'said irstbase frame of said additional jack, and means forv controlling the operation of said rfluid pressure motor to cause said radial extension While fitting in said notch to move said additional jack to a new location.

4. In a. system of mining, the combination -with a plurality of jacks adapted to be` arrangedy in series and each comprising a base frame having an abutment at one side thereof, offa plurality of motors one on each of said base frames, and a plurality of actuating devices one connected between. each motor to the abutment on the next adjacent base frame.

5. In a system of mining, the combination With a.' series of roof supports each movable longitudinally relatively to the next adjacent roof support, of a plurality ofmotors,

one mounted on the. frame ofeach roof support, a shifting connection between each motor and the frame of the next adjacent roof support,`and means comprising flexible connections between each roof support and be arranged in a series, `of a plurality of fluid pressure'motors one mounted on the frame of each roof support and. each comprisingV a. horizontal longitudinally movable plunger, a series of abutments one at one side of each of the frames of said roof supports, a plurality of radial arms one connected to the outer end of each of said plungers in position to engage the abutment of the next adjacent fra-me, means for transmitting` the fluid pressure medium to said motors in multiple yand comprising flexible .connections between said frames to permit relative longitudinal movement thereof, and means for controlling the flow of the fluid pressure medium to said motors.

7 In a system of mining, the combination with a plurality of roof supports adapted to be arranged in a series and each comprising a base frame` of a plurality of shifting motors one on each of said frames, a 'pluralnasca ity of spaced-apart abutments on eachV frame, a plurality of arms each connected to its respective motor and adapted to be connected to either of the abutments on the next adjacent frame, and means for controlling said motors individually.

8. In a system of mining, the combination with 'a' plurality of jacks each comprisingA a base frame, of a'plurality of fluid pressure motors one on each of said base frames and each comprising a longitudinallyimov- 9. In a system of mining, the combina-v tion with an elongated. .rigid base frame adapted to rest on and slide over a mine floor, of root jack mechanism mounted on said vbase frame to move bodily therewith, means for controlling the operation of said roof jack mechanism, a motor comprising a horizontally movable actuator mounted in said base frame for movement relatively thereto, a radial arm at the outer end of said actuator shiftable arcuately on the axis of said actuator to engage an adjacent roof jack, and means for independently controlling the operation of said motor.

y,10. In a system ofmining, the combination with an elongated base frame adapted i to rest on and slide over a mine floor, of

a roof jack mounted ony said frame in position to anchor the same, a motor comprising a horizontally movable actuator mounted on said base frame, aradial arm at the outer' end of said actuator shiftable arcuately on the axis of said actuator to .engage an abutment in the mine, and means for controlling the operation of said motor to etfectthe sliding of said base frame over the lmine'iloor when said jack is in released position.

11. In a system of mining, the combination with a base frame adapted to rest on and slide 'over a mine floor, of means for anchoring said base frame, a fluid pressure motor comprising a longitudinally movable plunger on said base frame, an arm connected-to the outer end ofsaid plunger to excey tend radially therefrom upwardly or laterally, and means lfor operatlng said motor to eicct movement of said plunger together` `with said arm relatively to said base frame.

12. In a system of mining, the combination with a narrow elongated base frame adapted to rest on and slide over a mine floor, of a iuidpressure roof jack mounted on said base frame, a fluid pressure motor comprising a plunger extending longitudinally of said base frame, means for connecting said plunger to a similar adjacentbase frame, and means for controlling the operation of said roof jack and the operation of said motor independently of each other.

13. In a system of mining, the combination with an elongated base frame adapted to rest on and slide over a mine floor adjacent similar base frames, of a plurality of spaced-apart fluid pressure root supports mounted on said base frame in tandem, a luid pressure motor comprising a longitudinally movable actuator mounted on said elongated base frame, a coupling device at the outer end. of said actuator, means for controlling the operation of said roof supports, and independent meanstor controlling the operation of said fluid pressure motor to secure longitudinal movement of said actuator relatively to said elongated base frame 4While the latter is 'anchored by said fluid pressure supports to effect shifting of such adjacent similar base frames by 'means of said coupling. device. I 'Y 14. Ina system of mining, the combination vwith an elongated base frame having a forward downwardly inclined extension to form an inclined plane on its upperpsurface, of al plurality of fluid pressure root jackson said frame back of said inclined plane, a fluidpressure motor comprising a longitudinally extending actuator movable lfrom the rear end of said frame, means for controlling the operation of said fluid pressure roof jacks, and means for controlling the operation of said longitudinal motor.

15. In a system of mining, the combination with a plurality of roof supports each comprising a base trame, of a longitudinally extending motor on one of said base frames, means between said motor and the next adjacent frame for laterally coupling said next adjacent frame to said motor, and

means for operating said motor to' secure longitudinal shifting of such next adjacent frame." n

16. In a system of mining, the combination with a plurality of roof supports arranged in series andeach comprising a base frame, of a plurality of longitudinally extending motors one mounted on each of said base frames, and coupling ldevices between each motor and the next adjacent frame to secure longitudinal movement of such adjacentl frame upon the operation of said motor.

17. In a system of mining, the combination with a plurality of roof supports adapted to bearranged in a series and each comprising an elongated base frame, of a plurality of longitudinally extending motors one on each of said base frames, of a plurality of lateral coupling devices one adaptizo las

'and the next adjacent frame to permit longitudinal relative shitting of said frames while the connection of said motors to the common source of supply is maintained.

18. ln a system of mining, the combination with a roof jack comprising an elonygated narrow base lrame adapted to rest on and slide over a mine floor, of a fluid pressure motor on said base frame comprising a horizontally and longitudinally movable actuator adapted to be connected to a similar adjacent jack, means for controlling the supply of lluid pressure to said motor to effect relative shifting of said jacks, and a connect-ion between said motor and theexhaust to limit the stroke of s'aid actuator.

. 19. ln a system of mining, the combination with an elongated narrow base frame adapted to rest on and slide over a mine floor, of means for anchoring the same, a motor comprising a cylinder and a plunger of approximately the same diameter as the bore of said cylinder to make a water-tight lit therein a substantial distance back of the inner end of said plunger, a iluid pressure pipe connected to the rear end of said cylinder, and an exhaust pipe connected to said cylinder distant from the rear end .thereof to limit the forward stroke of said plunger along said base frame to automatically stop y the relative movement of said plunger and said base trame after the operation of said motor. j

20. ln a system of mining, the combination with an elongated rigid base frame adapted to rest on and slide over a mine floor, of a plurality of spaced-apart hy.- draulic root jacks mounted on said base frame in tandem, and means comprising a pair of valves connected to each of said roof jacks to control the anchoring and release thereof, such control of each roof jack being independent of the control of the other roof jacks.

2l. ln asystem of mining, the combination with an elongated rigid base frame adapted to rest on and slide over a mine lloor and having vertical spaced-apart plane outer walls in parallelism.- of a hydraulic root jack mounted on said frame, a hydraulic motor comprising an actuator adapted to engage an abutment to effect the shifting of the s aid base trame and roof jack in a direction along the length of the base frame, and means comprising valve mechanism lt'or controlling the operation of said roof jack and the operation ot said hydraulic motor independently of each other.

22. ln a system of mining, the combinareleases tion with a plurality of jacks each comprising a base trame, of a motor mounted on one of said base frames and comprising a longitudinally movable actuator, and an abutment on the next adjacent frame movable into position to be engaged by saidl ries, of means on each roof support Jlor-- longitudinally shifting the next adjacent roof support to a new location, and mechanism on the last roof support movable into position vfor engagement by the shifting means on thenext to the last roof support to secure shifting of the last roof support while the next to the last roof support is anchored.

25. ln a system of mining, the combination with a series of roof supports, of an abutment on the last roof support of the series movable on an upright axis into a lateral position, and a motor on the root support next to the last in the series for engaging said abutment when in its lateral extending position to effect shifting move.- ment of the last roof support in the series.

26. In a system of mining, the combination with a plurality of elongated base trames adapted to be arranged side by side in a series, of roof supporting mechanism on said series of base trames, motor means on each base frame, means for coupling each motor to the next adjacent base frame to etl'ect longitudinal shifting of the latter, and an abutment in position on the last base trame of -the series to be engaged by the motor on the next to the last base frame to elect shifting of the las" base trame.

27. ln a system of n* ing, the combination with a base frame, of root1 supporting mechanism mounted thereon. a motor on said base 'frame comprising a longitudinally movable plunger, a radial arm connected to the rear end of said plun'er, and an abutment mounted at the rear end of said frame `for adjustment on an upright axis.

28. ln a system of mining, the combination with an elongated base frame, of a plurality of spaced-apart hydraulic roof jacks mounted on said base frame, means `for oontrolling the operation of said roof jacks, a longitudinally extending hydraulic motor comprising a rearwardly movable actuator mounted on said base frame, and an ad- Lacasse justable abutment mounted at the rear end` of said base frame and movable into and ont of position or engagement b a motor operated actuator on an adjacent rame.

29. In a system of mining, the combination with a series of individual long narrow base frames, of roof supportin mechanism individually mounted on said ase frames, and power operated shifting devices on each of saidV base frames and adapted to be connected to the next adjacent base frame to secure individual longitudinal shifting of said base frames one after another along said series of frames.

30. In a system of mining, the combination with elongated individual supporting trames adaptedtov rest `on the floor of a mine chamber in a diagonal series relative to an upright wall in a mine chamber, of roof propplng mechanism mounted on said supporting frames, and power-operated mechanism connected between each frame and the next adjacent frame -to secure successive shifting'of said frames to adjusted positions while such diagonal series relation is maintained. j

31. Ina system of mining, the combination with a series of roof-sustaining jacks adapted to be located closely adjacent each other to form a predetermined line of support, of inclined extensions from said roofsustaining jacks back of said line of support in position to receive material from the roof when the latter subsides back of such llne of support, and means for gradually shifting such line of support by moving'the jacks individually away from the subslded material and moving such inclined extensions gradually from under such subsided material.

32. In a system of mining, the combination with a plurality of independently movable narrow elon ated roof sustaining jacks,

of means indivi ual to each of said jacks operation thereof, and means comprising a hydraulic motor on one of the jacks and an abutment on the next adjacent jack for adjustingsthe relative positions of the adjacent jac a 33. In a system of mining, the combination with a plurality of jacks, of means for operating said jacks, and mechanism for rigidly connecting the adjacent jacks to adjust the relative positions thereof.

34. In a system of mining, the combination with a series of individual, separate and independent jacks successively in sliding engagement with each other, of means for operating said jacks, and means rigidly connecting the adjacent jacks for successively moving said jacks .into a new series of alinement.

35. In a system of mining, the combination with closely adjacent parallel jacks, of means for operating said jacks, and hydraufor controlling the lic mechanism for moving one 'ack into lateral alinement with another jac 36. In a system of mining, the combination with a series of closely adjacent jacks substantially parallel with each other and in substantial alinement laterally, of means individual to each jack for operating the same, and hydraulic means for moving the jacks one at a time into a new series in substantial parallel alinement with each other and substantially in lateral alinement.

37. In a system of minin the combination with a plurality of osely adjacent jacks parallel to each other, of means for operating said jacks, and means for pushing the released-jack into a new position.

38. In a system of mining, the combination with a plurality of jacks in lateral alinement and having roof -engaging shoes closely adjacent each other, of means for o erating said jacks, and mechanism for pushing said jacks successively into new positions also in lateral alinement with each other.

39. In a system of mining, the combination with a plurality of elon ated jacks each adapted to rest on and slide over a mine floor and adapted to be arranged in a series to form a break line to control the subsidence of the roof, of means for operating the said jacks, and fluid pressure motor mechanism mounted on one jack and extending to another for adjusting the relative positions of adjacent jacks. j

40. In a system of minin the combination with a'plurality of roo jacks adapted to be placed in a series to form a break line to control the subsidence of-the roof, of means for operating the said jacks, a hydraulic motor mounted on one of said jacks, a connection adapted to extend from said motor to another jack for shifting the relative positions of said jacks, and means for controlling the operation of said motor.

41. In a system of mining, the combination with a plurality of separate and independent closel adjacent jacks eachn havin an elongated rame adapted to rest on an slide over a mine floor, means for operating said jacks individuall to anchored and released positions, a hy raulic motor mounted on each of said jacks, and means on each of said frames in position to be engaged by a hydraulic motor on the next adjacent jack for adjusting the relative positions of said jacks while one is anchored and the other released.

42. In a system of mining, the combination with a. plurality of separate and individual props adapted to be arranged side by side to form a long line of support, means for operating said preps, and hy raulic motor mechanism carrie lby the pro s them.- selves for changing the ositions t ereof to gradually vary the said 'ne of support.

43. In a system of mining, the combination with a jack havin a frame with spaceda art lateral faces, o means for operating t e same, a motor mounted en .said jack. between said frame, and means'connected to said motor' and adapted to be rigidly connected to an anchorage for eecting shifting of the jack to a new position.

44. In a `system of minin, the combina-` tion with a multiplicity of ydrauhcmine 1G props ladapted to be arranged in a series in a mine chamber 'to form a predetermined break line for controlling the subsidence of ythe roof, of hydraulic mechanism for expanding said mine props to anchored positions, and'separate sets of valves for each of the mine props for controlling the expansion and contraction of each vidually.

45. ln la system or mining, the combinafion with a lurality of elongated base framesadapted to rest on and slide over a mine ilcor and each comprising an extension having an u per downwardly inclined sur- ,"face, of roo ]acl{ mechanism back of said inclined surface to edect a predetermined line 4of support when such plurality of frames are arranged adjacent each other,

means on said 'frames "for controlling the operation of said roof jack mechanism, and means on one frame adapted to be connected to the next adjacent 'frame for ei'ectingrelaengage an adjacent frame having roof jack mechanism thereon. l

47. In a system of mining, the combination with an elongated base frame adapted to move over a mine floor and having outer walls adapted to lit in sliding engagement with adjacent elongated iframes, of a hydraulic roof jack mounted on said frame, 'a hydraulic motor on said frame between planes extending through said outer walls and comprising an actuator adapted to engage an abutment to eect the shifting of said base iframe and roof jack ina direction along the length of said frame, and means comprising valve mechanism for controlling the operation of said roojack and the o eration of said hydraulic motor indepen ent .of each other.

48. In a system of mining, the combination with relativel shiftable elongated frames ada ted to side against each other along para el paths, of roof jacks mounted -motor to push one of said `frames with its prop indimesses on said 'frames for separate and independentl operation, a motor on one of said frames, and an abutment on the other frame movable into position to be engaged by said 7o j ack to a new position while the other frame 1s anchoredby its jack.

45h-In a system of mining, the combination with aseries of roof-sustaining jacks adapted vto be located vclosely adjacent each other to 'form a predetermined line oi support, of extensions having upper downwardly inclined surfaces in position to receive subsided material at one side of said line of support, and means `connected beso' tween an anchored jack and a released jack n forkshifting the position of the released Jac 50. ln a system'of mining, the combination with a narrow elongated base :frame adapted to move over a mine licor, of means for anchoring said base frame, a lHuid pre..- sure motor comprising a longitudinally movable plunger on said base `frame between planes'extending through the lateral walls of said base frame, and means for connecting said plunger to an anchorage in the mine to shift the position of said frame when released.

51. In a system of mining, the combination with a narrow elongated base trame adapted to rest on and slide over a mine loor and having vertical spaced-apart parallel plane walls, of va Huid-pressure roof lli) jack mounted on said base frame between loosaid walls, a fluid pressure motor comprising a plunger extending longitudinally on said base frame for operation betweenvertical planes extending through said spaceda art walls, means for connecting 'said 105 p unger to a similar adjacent hase `frame, and means for controlling the operation of said roof jack and the operation el said motor. l i

52. In a system of mining, the comhina- U0 tion with an elongated base frame, of roofsupporting mechanism mounted thereon, a fluid pressure motor comprising'a longitudinally movable actuator mounted on said frame, a coupling device at the outer end of said actuator, means for controlling the operation of said roof-supporting mechanism, and independent means vfor controlling the operation of said fluid-pressure motor to secure movement of said actuator relative to 20 said frame while the ylatter is anchored by said roof-supporting mechanism.

53. In a system of mining, the combina-l tion with an elongated narrow base frame adapted to rest on and slide over a mine m5 floor, of a roof jack mounted thereon, a @fluid pressure motor on said base 'frame comprising a horizontal longitudinally extending cylinder with a plunger tting closely therein throughout substantially the entire als length thereof, means for controlling the supply of luid pressure to said motor, and a connection between said motor and the exhaust to limit the stroke of said plunger.

54. In a system of mining, the combination with an elongated narrow base frame adapted to move over a mine Hoor, of means for anchoring the same, a fluid pressure motor comprising a cylinder and a plun er, a fluid pressure pipe connected to sai cylinder, and an exhaust pipe connected to said cylinder distant thereto and in position to limit the forward stroke of the plunger along said base frame to automatically stop the Irelative movement of said plunger relatively to said base frame.

55. In a system of mining, the combination with a plurality of roof supports adapted to be arranged in a series, of means on each roof sup ort adapted to be connected to the next a jacent roof support to effect `relative shifting of the roof supports, and

an abutment on the last roof support of the series to cooperate with the shifting means of the next adjacent roof support to secure shifting of said last roof support.

56. In a system of mining, the combination with a plurality of elongated base frames, of roof-supporting mechanism on each of said base frames, a motor mounted on each base frame for connection to an adjacent base frame to eiect relative shifting of the base frames, and an-abutment on one of the frames in position to be engaged by a motor on another frame to effect shifting of the frame having the abutment.

57. In a system of mining, the combination with two frames, of roof-supporting mechanism mounted on each frame, a motor mounted on one of said frames and comprising a horizontally movable plunger, and an abutment carried by the other frame movable into position to be engaged by said plunger.

58. In a system of mining, the combination with a series of roof props adapted to be laced in lateral alinement to form a pre etermined line of roof support to eiect subsidence of the roof along such line, of means for operating the roof props, and haulage mechanism for releasing the roof props individually and moving them into posltion for location at the other end of the series.

59. In a system of mining, the combination with a series of roof props ada ted to be located closely adjacent each ot er in lateral alinement to form a predetermined line of support, of means for operating said roof props, and mechanism for removing a roof pro from one end of the series into position lbr location at the other end of such series.

60. In a system of mining, the combination with a series of hydraulic' roof jacks arranged in lateral alinement to form a predetermined line of roof support, of a portable hydraulic pump for furnishing the fluid pressure supply to said hydraulic roof jacks, an electric motor for operating said hydraulic pump, a truck for carrying said hydraulic pump and said electric motor, a transportation system for mine cars, and electrlcal supply connections associated with such transportation system and extended to the electric motor on said truck.v

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification on this 19th day of June A. D. 1920.

EDMUND C. MORGAN. 

